Risk of deer on Scottish roads

A road safety campaign has been launched to warn drivers in Scotland to look out for roe deer on the roads. Collisions between deer and vehicles typically increase at this time of year as young roe deer spread out to look for their own territories, with dusk the period of highest risk.

NatureScot’s spring road safety campaign commenced in May, with Transport Scotland and Traffic Scotland. Alerts on electronic variable message signs (VMS) remind drivers of the risk of deer on the road. Electronic messaging is being used in areas where there is an increased risk of a collision – many of which are in the central belt.

Dominic Sargent, NatureScot deer policy officer, said: “According to the data, there are almost 2,000 recorded collisions between vehicles and deer across Scotland each year, and many more will go unreported.

“In urban and suburban areas, roe deer live close to people and transport routes, and high-risk areas for incidents include road junctions and major interchanges, some of which have areas of woodland and scrub nearby where roe deer can shelter, feed and even have their young.”